Polysense Opened New Corporate Office in Chicago
The Belgian automation firm launched its first U.S. hub to serve the North American food processing market.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Polysense has opened its first U.S. office in Chicago to serve as a central hub for North American operations. The company specializes in automated systems for the potato, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing sectors.
Why it matters
The expansion comes as U.S. manufacturers face mounting pressure from labor shortages and tariffs, driving increased demand for automation. By establishing a physical presence, the company aims to work more closely with local manufacturing lines.
Polysense closed a $10.7 million seed funding round in July 2026. The firm is entering a market projected to have 1.9 million unfilled manufacturing positions by 2033.
The players
Polysense
An automation firm that develops systems for potato, bakery, and vegetable processing sectors.
Jarne Bogaert
The U.S. President who is relocating to Chicago to lead the firm's new North American operations.
Jonas Lernout
A pre-sales engineer who recently joined the company to support its technical operations.
The details
The new Chicago team will act as a primary operational link between North American clients and the existing Belgian delivery team. Their systems automate inspection and process adjustment tasks that were previously reliant on manual oversight.
Timeline
July 2026: Polysense closed a $10.7 million seed round.
September 2026: Polysense opened the Chicago office.
2033: Projected U.S. manufacturing labor requirements and gaps reach estimated peak levels.
Market Landscape
The expansion reflects the broader trend of industrial automation providers aggressively targeting the North American manufacturing sector. This move directly competes with established inspection firms by bridging the gap between overseas engineering teams and local production environments.
Local manufacturers in the food processing sector may see increased access to specialized inspection technology and technical support. This shift could streamline production line adjustments and help mitigate the operational costs associated with persistent labor shortages.
The takeaway
The move underscores how international automation firms are prioritizing local proximity to address the complex labor challenges in the U.S. food supply chain. Manufacturers should monitor how these automated systems affect their daily line efficiency and long-term hiring needs.
What happens next
The company expects to expand its Chicago-based team and North American customer base over the next 6 to 12 months.
Further reading
For more information on regional industry trends, visit Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Freshplaza.
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